Heavy Weekend Traffic Volumes Expected For I-70 Mountain Corridor

March 31, 2017 - Statewide Transportation - Snowy, wet weather and icy road conditions are expected along the I-70 Mountain Corridor and other mountain roadways over the weekend.

 The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will monitor the interstate for traffic volumes and potential incidences throughout the weekend.

“As we start to wrap up spring break vacations, we expect to see heavier eastbound traffic throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday,” said CDOT’s I-70 Mountain Corridor Manager Patrick Chavez. “March snow storms tend to leave like a lion rather than a lamb, meaning we expect to see heavier, wetter snow that will leave the roads icy. We anticipate heavy congestion as a result of the winter conditions and strongly urge motorists to be aware of the changing weather and adjust their driving to match conditions. ”

Chavez added that crashes and spin outs increase at the end of a storm as roads clear because motorists speed up and do not prepare for icy areas that remain.
Motorists should be aware of possible implementation of safety metering near the Eisenhower Tunnel throughout the weekend. Metering is a tool CDOT uses to mitigate traffic. Metering keeps the tunnel safe, clear and operating continuously, especially with the increased volume of weekend I-70 traffic.  

SAFETY METERING:  

The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels connect Colorado's eastern and western slopes, with more than 30,000 vehicles passing through the tunnels daily. Safety metering is triggered by high traffic, accidents or adverse weather. The goal is to prevent traffic back-ups in the tunnel headed east. The tunnel needs to remain open for emergency vehicles to get through, which allows them to react to and clear the emergency more quickly. https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/i70-metering

Motorist may encounter two types of metering:

  • Continuous-Flow Safety Metering: This occurs on the approach to the Eisenhower Tunnel. An alternating red and green stoplight cycles every four to eight seconds to keep traffic moving consistently through the tunnels, while traffic on the tunnel's east side slowly dissipates.

  • On-Ramp Safety Metering: This occurs at eastbound on-ramps at Copper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne and Loveland.

ROADWAY EMERGENCIES:  

Our partners at Colorado State Patrol share the following tips to keep you safe while driving:

  • If you are involved in a crash, stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt buckled, call 911 and wait for CSP, local law enforcement or emergency management professionals to arrive.

  • Many crashes could be avoided if motorists SLOW DOWN, use caution when approaching roadwork areas or when encountering a crash. Slowing down allows you the opportunity to react to the situation.  Always drive with your view to the front of the hood so you’re prepared to react as needed.

  • Avoid distracted driving. Make good decisions and focus on driving. Never engage in any activity that would divert your attention away from the task of driving – especially texting, talking on phones, using smart devices, or eating.  https://www.codot.gov/safety/distracteddriving

STAY INFORMED:  

CDOT is reminding motorists to consult the department’s traveler information tools:  

  • Visit www.COTRIP.org to view road conditions, travel alerts and track our snow plows;

  • Call 511 anywhere in Colorado for periodically updated road conditions;

  • Sign up for GovDelivery alerts;

  • Follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter may not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).